Oliver M. Brandes and Rosie Simms from the Polis Water Sustainability Project co-authored an opinion that was published in the Vancouver Sun on August 25, 2016. They touch on the failed Fraser River Salmon run and discuss the decline of river water quality globally and the need to protect our waters. Click on the following link to read more: http://vancouversun.com/opinion/opinon-protect-water-our-economy-communities-and-quality-of-life-depend-on-it

Learn why and how to install a rain barrel at your home. There are many benefits to installing rain barrels including conserving water, saving money, and having water on-hand for watering your plants and gardens. With the possibility of future droughts (like last summer) and predicted hot summers in the future, conserving water will be essential!

Like this:

Everyone can see that the Kettle River is high this spring from the flooding at City Park to the rushing water under the black train bridge. In fact, the river has been running more than twice as high as the 86-year average recorded by the US Geological Survey for March and April, 2016. Right – City Park, Grand Forks, BC (David Dunnet)

Despite above average water runoff, the possibility of drought this summer is still high. Both the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the North American Space Agency (NASA) have released data showing that globally, March 2016 was the hottest on record. Not only has March beat the record for temperature, so had January 2016 and February 2016. Even if you don’t believe that climate change is occurring, these results are troubling and both point to a hot and dry summer. To read more about this, go to: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/15/march-temperature-smashes-100-year-global-record

If temperatures remain high and rainfall remains minimal, we must consider the possibility of drought. A striking example was in 2003 where there were above average levels of water in the Kettle River in the spring but as high temperatures and low rainfall persisted throughout the summer, a drought was experienced partnered with a large number of forest fires, particularly around Kelowna. This is a lesson that cannot be forgotten. Although there are high water levels now, we cannot depend on that to continue throughout the summer.

Here at the Kettle River Watershed Management level, we are beginning to work on a drought management plan that will include input from local government water suppliers (e.g. City of Grand Forks, City of Greenwood, Village of Midway, Christina Lake). The water suppliers have agreed that this will be a useful tool for managing drought as a team. Also, this team agrees that education is the main area that should be focused on to conserve water and minimize the impacts of future droughts.

Education and water conservation starts with every citizen, farmer, and business owner. Everyone can help conserve water. If watering your garden or lawn, do so at night or in the early morning (60% of water can be lost to evaporation if using sprinklers to water during the day, which equals 6L lost and only 4L making onto your lawn!); collect and use rain water; install and use drip irrigation to water your gardens and trees; and/or replace your grass with drought resistant evergreens and plants.

Every action that we take to conserve water and protect the river will be appreciated by generations to come. Should the City of Grand Forks Councillors have decided to remove the Level 2 water restrictions? Only time will tell. Conserve water and pray for rain.

Spearheaded by the ONA Natural Resources Committee and the Implementation Advisory Group of the Kettle River Plan, this forum will enable Syilx water leaders and community members from the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the RDKB, and many other organizations to come together to share knowledge and explore solutions to challenges in headwater management.

We are looking for a broad cross section of the community with an interest in watershed health and protection, including government, industry, agriculture, recreation and stewardship groups to participate in this collaborative and proactive event.

The morning sessions will include presentations from Syilx leadership, traditional knowledge keepers and ONA staff on Okanagan worldviews, use and stewardship of the lands and waters, drawing on both the Syilx Water Declaration and ONA’s siwlkw Water Strategy.

There will also be a presentation on the implementation of the Kettle River Watershed Management Plan (KRWMP) and the SIBAC-funded Kettle River Watershed Riparian Threat Assessment.

The afternoon sessions will include exploratory dialogue between participants on headwaters issues.

These facilitated sessions will identify collaborative solutions for key challenges and opportunities for resource development, source-water protection, water storage, and recreation and amenity development.

These discussions will lead to development of an action plan to be shared with participants and the public.

Real sustainable development depends on empowered networks of community members building a shared understanding the health and function of the ecosystems we depend on.

Undertaking this fundamental challenge will ultimately lead to more resilient communities that provide economic opportunities and quality of life over the long term.